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Classic FM Babies

by: Katherine Jenkins, Elin Manahan Thomas, Julian Lloyd-Webber, Pascal Roge, Herbert Von Karajan, Charles Dutoit, Harry Christophers, London Symphony Orchestra

July 23, 2007

A lovely 2CD Classic FM compilation of relaxing music - for mothers as much as their babies - consisting of an interesting assortment of baroque, classical, romantic and modern music with the underlying theme of aiming to relax the listener.

Some pieces are chosen partly for their title as well as the soothing effect they have, these include the 'Lullaby' by Brahms and 'The Swan' from 'Carnival of the Animals' by Saint-Saens. The more contemporary offerings are by popular composers such as Patrick Hawes. These are good recordings, as expected by Classic FM, many of which will be comfortably familiar to most of the radio shows listeners.

Comfortably safe by Classic FM maybe, but comfortably relaxing too.

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Fauré - Requiem

by: Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Elin Manahan Thomas, Roderick Williams

March 03, 2008
I was present at the live concert at the Barbican in August 2007 when this was recorded. It was probably the best concert ever attended, and the recording shows this in it's energy, yet passionate and sensitive qualities.Harry Christoper ,The Sixteen and the Academy of St martin's in the field have produced a superb C.D..
J. Battershill

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Eternal Light

by: Elin Manahan Thomas

July 09, 2007
I totally agree with everyone else that Ms. Thomas has indeed a glorious set of vocal cords, to match the glorious pair of eyes, which are given much exaggerated prominence in the booklet. What disappointed me was the choice of material to showcase said vocal cords. Nice pieces all, but many of them done to death - for example, "Ombra mai fu" (Handel's "Largo"), "Bist du bei mir", "Let the bright seraphim". In addition, Ms. Thomas gives me the impression that she is concentrating on pure beauty of tone and largely omitting any feeling from the pieces. Given the glamorous treatment she gets in the booklet photos, it seems that this is an effort to "sell" the lady in a crowded and not terribly popular market in terms of sales. Hopefully, having ... Read More:

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Alwyn - Songs

by: Elin Manahan Thomas

December 31, 2007
I totally agree with everyone else that Ms. Thomas has indeed a glorious set of vocal cords, to match the glorious pair of eyes, which are given much exaggerated prominence in the booklet. What disappointed me was the choice of material to showcase said vocal cords. Nice pieces all, but many of them done to death - for example, "Ombra mai fu" (Handel's "Largo"), "Bist du bei mir", "Let the bright seraphim". In addition, Ms. Thomas gives me the impression that she is concentrating on pure beauty of tone and largely omitting any feeling from the pieces. Given the glamorous treatment she gets in the booklet photos, it seems that this is an effort to "sell" the lady in a crowded and not terribly popular market in terms of sales. Hopefully, having ... Read More:

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Faraway Place

by: Elin Manahan Thomas

December 10, 2007
I totally agree with everyone else that Ms. Thomas has indeed a glorious set of vocal cords, to match the glorious pair of eyes, which are given much exaggerated prominence in the booklet. What disappointed me was the choice of material to showcase said vocal cords. Nice pieces all, but many of them done to death - for example, "Ombra mai fu" (Handel's "Largo"), "Bist du bei mir", "Let the bright seraphim". In addition, Ms. Thomas gives me the impression that she is concentrating on pure beauty of tone and largely omitting any feeling from the pieces. Given the glamorous treatment she gets in the booklet photos, it seems that this is an effort to "sell" the lady in a crowded and not terribly popular market in terms of sales. Hopefully, having ... Read More: